Veterans and their spouses who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are now able to access a pair of state government programs that were created to provide them with financial assistance. “During troubled times in our country’s history, our veterans put their lives on hold to do what was best for our state and our country,” said State Representative Greg Davids … [Read more...]
New date announced for Wreaths for the Fallen – December 14
WreathsForTheFallen.org will be honoring our nation’s fallen veterans at the Little Falls, Preston and the new Duluth veterans cemeteries. The addition of Preston and Duluth will require several hundred additional honor wreaths needed to honor our countries fallen veterans and their families at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries once again this year. Because of the … [Read more...]
Whalan mayor reminisces about time in Navy
“I wasn’t ready,” Marlys Tuftin of Whalan said. While Tuftin was studying at Winona State, her college roommate asked her to join the Navy with her on the buddy system. Tuftin wasn’t interested at the time and ended up turning her down for a job in civilian nursing, but five years later, she had second thoughts. “I decided to try it for three years,” she said. Those three … [Read more...]
FC grads make a career in Armed Forces
Two Fillmore-Central High School graduates have taken different paths in the military, but both are now stationed in Miami, Florida. Becky (Polzin) Wyness serves in the Coast Guard, while David Fink serves in the Army. They recently agreed to share their stories with the Journal. Becky Wyness explained that, “I grew up in Preston, but we moved around a lot. I lived in … [Read more...]
The 11th Hour: The Date Behind Veterans Day
By Claudine Zap While most know that Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here’s the back-story: Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was … [Read more...]
5 Facts to Know About Veterans Day
By Katie Lange Veterans Day is a well-known American holiday, but there are also a few misconceptions about it — like how it’s spelled or whom exactly it celebrates. To clear some of that up, here are the important facts you should know. Veterans Day does NOT have an apostrophe A lot of people think it’s “Veteran’s Day” or “Veterans’ Day,” but they’re wrong. The … [Read more...]
Easy ways to celebrate Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an annual holiday when veterans of the armed forces are honored and celebrated in the United States. Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. While both days honor members of the armed forces, there's a distinction between the two holidays. Memorial Day, which is celebrated in May, is a day designated for remembering servicemen and servicewomen who … [Read more...]
American flag etiquette
The American flag symbolizes many things to many people. While the American flag is proudly displayed in millions of buildings and homes across the United States year-round, it tends to draw special attention each summer, when Americans celebrate their independence on July 4. The Flag Code formalizes and unifies the standards of respect that must be given to the flag, even … [Read more...]
Remembering Pearl Harbor
December 7, 2019, marks the 78th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was a pivotal day in world history, ultimately leading the United States to enter the Second World War. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan participated in a series of invasions into China, believing the only way to solve its economic and demographic problems was to expand into China and … [Read more...]
How to show appreciation for military personnel
Military personnel are unsung heroes whose sacrifices for their country make it possible for hundreds of millions of people to enjoy freedoms that many people across the globe do not have. In recognition of those sacrifices, many people want to show their appreciation to both active and retired servicemen and women. Fortunately, there are many ways to do just that. • Pitch … [Read more...]
Veterans home site option agreement extended
At the October 21 meeting of the Preston City Council City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the state is requesting an extension of the option agreement for the veterans home site until March 31, 2020. The option agreement from the city to the state for the veterans home site was set to expire November 30. Hoffman said they are anticipating a round of federal funding to … [Read more...]
Veterans home design tweaked due to budget limits
Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke outlined some veterans home design changes that will need to be made to stay within the current budget during a meeting at Preston City Hall on October 9. He updated local officials and Veterans Home Committee members on the proposed veterans home in Preston. Herke has served in this position since January 2019. The … [Read more...]
Veterans Treatment Court
Judge Ross Leuning, Freeborn County, informed the county board at their June 4 meeting about the establishment of a Third Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court. Leuning explained that the Treatment Court is an intensive probationary program. It is a specialty court that provides for treatment rather than incarceration to prevent future illegal activity. A successful … [Read more...]
Planning continues for proposed veterans home in Preston
St. Paul, MN. – Aging veterans and other eligible family members from Preston and the surrounding region may have a new option for residential skilled nursing care by 2022. For the last few years, local officials and veterans’ advocates have lobbied for the addition of a new Minnesota State Veterans Home in their community. Plans are moving forward, according to officials from … [Read more...]
Rushford Veterans Memorial was a long-time vision
“Everyone who served, whether they were overseas or not — they served in some way to this country,” states Maynard LaFleur, who spearheaded the effort to have a Rushford Veterans Memorial in Rushford, Minn., which was recently completed. “I always wanted something in remembrance for the soldiers who served and who fought,” expresses LaFleur. “I started it in my mind years … [Read more...]
